15 Times the Women of 'Game of Thrones' Ruled Season Six

Before this season of Game of Thrones even began, six female characters covered an issue of Entertainment Weekly, teasing not only the return of the show, but also the rise of strong(er) female leads. "Dame of Thrones," and "Women on Top," the headlines read, claiming the latest season would show the GoT women in their best light—and they were right.

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In Season 6, Daenerys climbed back to the top, Sansa served the sweetest revenge and Lyanna Mormont became our new favorite girl boss (at just 10 years old), to name a few feats. As we approach what could be the show's most intense finale yet, we're looking back at the best moments for and by women in Game of Thrones' sixth season.

The Sands swept the Martells in Dorne.

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Let's take a break from the testosterone-heavy Battle of the Bastards for a second and go back to the first major moment of bloodshed of the season. Back in Episode 1, conniving matriarch Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes slaughtered Prince Doran, his guards and Trystane Martell after the prince received word of Myrcella Baratheon's death (also Ellaria's work). As she killed Doran, Ellaria said, "Weak men will never rule in Dorne again." Amen.

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Brienne fulfilled her oath of duty to Catelyn Stark.

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One of the most rewarding moments of Season 6 was Brienne's fortunate run-in with Sansa as she and Theon escaped Ramsay's search party from Winterfell. The knight fought off the Boltons' men, saved Sansa's life and brought things full circle. Seasons ago, Brienne pledged her duty to Sansa's mother, Catelyn Stark, and promised to keep her daughters safe. Both Arya and Sansa turned down Brienne's offers of service when they each encountered her in the past, but this time, Sansa graciously accepted. Brienne helped bring Sansa to safety at Castle Black to reunite with her brother Jon.

Melisandre brought back Jon Snow.

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She might not know how exactly she did it, but the Red Woman is responsible for bringing back one of GoT's most beloved characters. Melisandre might've done some horrible things in the past (RIP, Shireen Baratheon) but this time she used her powers for something good. Plus, we learned that she's hundreds of years old and carries a magic necklace that holds her youth.

Lyanna Stark finally made her debut.

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Thanks to Bran Stark's flashbacks, we finally got introduced to Ned Stark's younger sister. She's often been mentioned in the show, but the most we ever saw of her was her tombstone in the crypts of Winterfell. Yet her role in the grand scheme of GoT is an important one: she was either kidnapped by or eloped with Rhaegar Targaryen, inciting the war of Robert's Rebellion, which took place before the show begins. Her cameo hinted she'll be playing an even bigger role in the series—and adds more fuel to the widely-accepted theory she's Jon Snow's biological mother.

Daenerys became Khaleesi once again.

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After getting stranded by her dragon, captured by the Dotrhaki and verbally abused by the new khals, Daenerys ultimately emerged from the flames (literally) to become queen once again. Even filming the scene itself, which required actress Emilia Clarke to go nude, was a power move. "This is all me, all proud, all strong," she said of not using a body double. And the dosh khaleen, the widows Daenerys was trapped living with up until that moment, also provided a strong feminine force.

Cersei Lannister and Olenna Tyrell teamed up against the High Sparrow.

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The High Sparrow may seem to be the most powerful figure in King's Landing right now (though perhaps not for long), but you have to give some credit to the unlikely alliance fighting to take him down. Sly Cersei Lannister and stubborn Olenna Tyrell, who've butted heads in the past, teamed up against the manipulative septon for the sake of their families. And from the looks of the trailer, the finale may show what actually becomes of their plans. Though Lady Olenna eventually left King's Landing with a shady goodbye to Cersei, their fleeting "camaraderie" was worth cherishing.

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Margaery Tyrell tricked the High Sparrow and King Tommen.

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Sweet as she seems, Queen Margaery is also a secret trickster, if past seasons have taught us anything. Her motives have yet to be confirmed—and perhaps the finale will do so—but it appears she's putting on an act of being a devout follower of the High Sparrow in an effort to take him down, and she has her husband Tommen on a string as well. In the midst of GoT's brutal battles and murders, we can't help but be entertained by a good mind game.

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Lyanna Mormont made a fierce entrance.

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Everyone's new favorite character was sassy little Lady Lyanna Mormont, the 10-year-old at the head of Bear Island. Despite her age and size, she dismissed Jon Snow's pleads for allegiance (though Ser Davos changed her mind). She even joined Snow, Davos, Tormund and Sansa on the battlefield during their first meeting with Ramsay Bolton.

Arya Stark got her name back.

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After training to serve the Many-Faced God for what seemed like an eternity, Arya finally took control and came into her own. She killed that hateful Waif—during a sword fight in the dark while suffering from fresh stab wounds, mind you—and turned the tables on her now-former mentor, Jaquen H'ghar. When he told her she finally achieved her goal of becoming "no one," she changed her mind. "A girl is Arya Stark of Winterfell, and I am going home," she told him.

Yara Greyjoy proposed her claim to the Salt Throne.

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The return of this strong female character to the show was big enough of a win, but Yara's trajectory as the season progressed just made it even better. After her father was killed, she claimed herself an heir to the Salt Throne, backed by her little brother Theon. Her Uncle Euron usurped the position from her, but she and her brother escaped with the majority of his fleet to Meereen. It was her idea to make a pact with Daenerys to help her win back the Iron Islands and support Dany's claim to the Iron Throne.

Yara became GoT's first lesbian main character.

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Yara's sexuality was revealed quite casually on the show—she's shown hooking up with a female prostitute in a brothel scene—but after six seasons, GoT finally has a lesbian main character.

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Daenerys and Yara could be GoT's first lesbian couple.

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If you watched episode nine, you might've seen subtle sparks fly between Daenerys and Yara. The two engaged in a major flirt session while negotiating their pact. Though we don't know if they'll actually end up together, both actresses who play them are on board. "Bring on the ladies," Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) enthusiastically said of their potential relationship.

Daenerys put the masters in their place.

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In classic Khaleesi fashion, Daenerys made her enemies think she was hopeless, but soon pulled out the carpet from under them. When the masters attacked Meereen to take back the city and refused to bow to their queen, Dany took a ride on Drogon—backed by her two other dragons—and sets their ships on fire. On her behalf, Grey Worm sent the enemy forces home and murdered two of the three masters.

Sansa Stark saved Jon Snow's army.

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As Jon was getting ready for his highly-anticipated battle against Ramsay Bolton, Sansa voiced the thought on everyone's minds: he didn't have enough men to fight. She went behind his back, penned a letter to Petyr Baelish for help, and escorted the Knights of the Vale to the battlefield right in the knick of time, helping the Stark forces earn their well-deserved victory.

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Sansa killed Ramsay Bolton.

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Sansa brought a satisfying end to the show's most hated villain, feeding him alive to his own hounds as she walked away with a smile. Thank you, Sansa, for GoT's the best death yet.

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